pate

[ peyt ]

/ peɪt /

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See synonyms for pate on Thesaurus.com

noun

the crown or top of the head.

the head.

the brain.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of pate

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, of uncertain origin

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH pate

pate , pâte, pâté

Other definitions for pate (2 of 3)

pâté

[ pah-tey, pa‐; French pah-tey, pa‐ ]

/ pɑˈteɪ, pæ‐; French pɑˈteɪ, pæ‐ /

noun, plural pâ·tés

[pah-teyz, pa‐; French pah-tey], /pɑˈteɪz, pæ‐; French pɑˈteɪ/,

French Cooking. a paste or spread made of puréed or finely chopped liver, meat, fish, game, etc., served as an hors d'oeuvre.

foie gras.

Origin of pâté

From French, dating back to 1695–1705; see origin at paste, -ee

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH pâté

pate, pâte, pâté

Other definitions for pate (3 of 3)

pâte

[ paht ]

/ pɑt /

noun

porcelain paste used in ceramic work.

Origin of pâte

First recorded in 1860–65; from French: literally, “dough, batter, paste”; see origin at paste

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH pâte

pate, pâte , pâté

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pate in a sentence

I confess a particular weakness for his chocolate biscuits and pork pate with onion marmalade.
Imagining Prince Charles as King Makes All of Britain Wish They Could Leave Like Scotland|Clive Irving|September 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He had a round, very wide face, light eyes full of pride, a dimpled chin, a bald pate with a gray fringe.
Julian Tepper: Leave Philip Roth Alone!|Julian Tepper|February 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It is littered with pate rind, bread crumbs, greaseproof paper, orange peel and banana skins.
Geoff Dyer's 'The Missing of the Somme' Reconsidered|Louisa Thomas|November 11, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Meier, who has the round face and thinning pate of a friar, is as close to a celebrity as you can find in the videogame world.
Facebook After FarmVille|Ben Crair|May 10, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Whether it is a simple roasted chicken, pate, or tuna Napoleon, each plate is a true culinary pleasure and delivers every time.
Fresh Picks|Robert Irvine|January 13, 2011|DAILY BEAST
His gray hair was so accurately combed and flattened over his yellow pate that it made it look like a furrowed field.
At the Sign of the Cat and Racket|Honore de Balzac
He bobbed his head and shot straight forward, landing his deputy-excellency fairly in the stomach, with his bare woolly pate.
Jack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among The Turks|Bracebridge Hemyng
Sadly and prayerfully while she slept lifted he the retributive mallet and beat in her brittle pate.
The Fiend's Delight|Dod Grile
You beat your pate, and fancy wit will come; / 20 Knock as you please, there's nobody at home.
Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources|James Wood
"Oh, the cause must not suffer for want of a broken pate or two," replied Annys, merrily.
Robert Annys: Poor Priest|Annie Nathan Meyer

British Dictionary definitions for pate (1 of 2)

pate

/ (peɪt) /

noun

the head, esp with reference to baldness or (in facetious use) intelligence

Word Origin for pate

C14: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for pate (2 of 2)

pâté

/ (ˈpæteɪ, French pɑte) /

noun

a spread of very finely minced liver, poultry, etc, served usually as an hors d'oeuvre

a savoury pie of meat or fish

Word Origin for pâté

from French: paste 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pate

Origin of pate

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH pate

Other definitions for pate (2 of 3)

Origin of pâté

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH pâté

Other definitions for pate (3 of 3)

Origin of pâte

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH pâte

Words related to pate

How to use pate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pate (1 of 2)

Word Origin for pate

British Dictionary definitions for pate (2 of 2)

Word Origin for pâté